52 Weeks :: A Yearlong Visual Journal in 52 Weekly Pieces

52 Weeks = A Yearlong Visual Diary by Christopher Dyer and Jason A. McHenry

Original Project Introduction from 2003:

52 Weeks is another effort of artists and longtime collaborators Jason A. McHenry and Christopher Dyer. The project was a yearlong visual diary and journal presented in weekly increments. Each artist presented fifty-two boxes, for a total of one-hundred and four separate pieces. The visual entries center around pre-existing, 4×6×2 inch shadow boxes. Every week each artist created distinct and personal assemblages. These 'visual diaries' featured original works of art created for that week as well as found objects and ephemera that were saved from the days prior.

Accompanying these visual entries are written journals specific to each artist. The written journals predominantly contain explicit documentation of the box contents, but also include writings and notations of a more introspective and creative nature.

Burning Man 2002

A final book containing all of the written entries by each artist was printed in limited numbers and were distributed only at the gallery openings along with the purchase of a finished piece. Since then any of the corresponding text entries have been subject to some editing and censoring by each artist as they deem necessary for whatever reasons they may choose. Still, the bulk of the original written entries are offered up alongside their corresponding pieces.

The 52 Weeks project went on a small gallery tour through the Pacific Northwest and was featured at Bumbershoot in Seattle where it garnered praise and was optioned by a local gallery. After the final opening every piece was sold and the artists both left town. [They have not seen one another since then.]

The project is being revisited again and is set to begin sometime in early 2017. Many other artists have committed to participating in the project and you're encouraged to do the same. Be sure to see the 52 Weeks Revisited blog entry and contact us if you'd like to know more about how to do that.